Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Cal Poly
Wildcats come up just short to Cal Poly, 30-24
10/11/2014 11:40:00 PM | Football
OGDEN – Once again the Wildcats had a great showing but once again, the 'Cats fell just a little short. Cal Poly spoiled Weber State's Homecoming game with a 30-24 victory over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium.
The Wildcats took the lead early in the second quarter when Billy Green found Shaydon Kehano for a four-yard pass to make it 7-3 with 8:00 left in the first half. Cal Poly came right back with a touchdown but WSU on the next possession, WSU sophomore Zach Smith broke off a 70-yard touchdown run to put the 'Cats back on top 14-10 late in the half.
Weber State again had the ball under 3:00 left in the half when the 'Cats fumbled the ball away. Cal Poly recovered and converted a touchdown in the final seconds of the half to take a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Josh Kealamakia knocked down a career-long 40-yard field goal early in the third quarter to tie the game at 17-17. Quarterback Chris Brown of Cal Poly came back with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Kori Garcia with 5:22 left in the quarter to regain the lead at 24-17.
On the ensuing kickoff, senior Bo Bolen returned the ball 94-yards for a touchdown to tie the game again at 24-24. It was Bolen's second career kickoff return for a touchdown.
The Mustangs opened the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run but missed the extra point 30-24. Neither team was able to score the rest of the way. The Wildcats had the ball in the final 3:00 but could not convert.
“It's another tough defeat for us,” said WSU head coach Jay Hill. “I was really pleased with our defense and how they performed we just gave up too many big plays and you have to give the credit to Cal Poly. We were able to run the ball but our passing game wasn't nearly good enough. Once again we lost the turnover margin and that's something we have to get fixed. We are so close to a win, we just have to keep fighting and to become a good team we have to win these close games.”
Cal Poly posted 510 yards of total offense in the game, the second most by a Wildcat opponent this season. The Mustangs came into the game leading the country in rushing yards and posted 289 yards on the ground Saturday. Weber State had 290 yards of total offense, with 193 yards rushing. The 'Cats threw the ball for just 97 yards, the fewest in a game this season.
Smith finished the night with 16 carries for 156 yards and one touchdown, an average of 9.8 yards per carry. Bolen added 28 yards rushing and finished the night with 235 all-purpose yards.
Billy Green finished the night 16-of-23 passing for just 97 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. He came into the game averaging 277 yards passing per game. Drew Batchelor had four receptions for 31 yards and Shaydon Kehano caught three balls for 16 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball freshman Emmett Tela again had a strong game, finishing with 15 tackles with two tackles for loss. Luke King added 11 tackles and the Wildcat defense totaled eight tackles for loss and two sacks. Likio Pope also had WSU's first fumble recovery of the season.
The loss dropped the 'Cats to 0-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play, while Cal Poly improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Big Sky action.
The Wildcats are back on the road next week at Montana State. Kickoff in Bozeman is set for 3:30 p.m. next Saturday.
